In The Garden Now….Purple Stem Sweet Box

Sarcococca Purple Stem Sweet Box

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

What a heavenly scent! Every winter I'm bowled over by the heady fragrance of Sweet Box. No sweeter scent can be found in the garden at any time of year. And it couldn't come at a better time. 

I’d describe the scent as a cross between that of honeysuckle and jasmine. Some say the scent reminds them of vanilla. However it's perceived it's definitely an intense olfactory experience ... one you'll look forward to each winter.

We’ve actually met many of our neighbors because they stopped to enjoy the smell of this fragrant plant. Plant it near your mail box and you’ll see it live up to one of its common names “Postman’s Friend.” Our postman, other delivery people and guests have commented on the lovely scent wafting through the garden. It grows well in containers as well so you could set a pot of sweet box next to your front door for the winter season then exchange it for later blooming plants after flowering ends.  

A number of sarcococca varieties are available. All are relatively small evergreen shrubs, 3 x 3 feet more or less, with scented white flowers. Purple Stem Sweet Box is a bit showier because of a touch of pink on the flowers and the purplish color of new stems, but its most important contribution to the garden is its rich perfume. Flowers are followed by bluish black berries. In my garden this variety blooms a little later than other varieties so the sweet box flowering season is extended.  

Our climate is perfect for growing this plant. Much of the rest of the US offers climates that are too extreme .... too hot, too cold, too humid, too dry. We lucked out on this one!

While you're walking through the neighborhood this week you just might catch a whiff of sweet box. If you do, breathe deep and enjoy this sweet scent of winter.  

Botanical Name: Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem’

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.